Mars Bar from 1991 found – and it's 20g bigger than today's
Vintage Mars Bar Discovery: A Glimpse into shrinkflation
A chocolate bar from the early 90s has surfaced during a residential clean-out, sparking a viral conversation about how product sizes have diminished over time—a phenomenon known as shrinkflation.
The Discovery in Scunthorpe
While performing a house clearance in Scunthorpe, Victoria Gordon, the proprietor of the cleaning company Pocket Rockets, stumbled upon a Mars Bar with a best-before date marking it as a relic from 1991.
Gordon noted that the item immediately caught her eye due to its unusual dimensions. Speaking with BBC Radio Lincolnshire, she explained:
"We were clearing out a hoarder's house and everything we were rooting through was decades old. This Mars Bar stood out to me because as I picked it up it was nearly the whole length of my hand. I was like, 'Wow, look at the size of that!'"
Size Comparison Analysis
The difference in mass between the vintage find and a contemporary version is stark.
| Era | Weight (g) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 62.5g | Vintage |
| Today | 40g | Current |
Using basic mathematics to find the difference:
The Corporate Perspective
When contacted for a statement, a representative from Mars explained that changes in the product's physical footprint are not accidental but are based on various operational and market factors.
"Over the last 35 years, we have made a number of updates to our bar sizes and pack formats to reflect consumer demand, alongside considering wider external factors such as manufacturing costs and the price of cocoa."
Viral Fame and Future Plans
Gordon is accustomed to sharing videos of her hoarding clearances, but this specific find has reached an unprecedented level of popularity.
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"event": "Mars Bar Discovery",
"location": "Scunthorpe",
"status": "Viral",
"impact": "High social media engagement"
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As for the fate of the 35-year-old confection, Gordon is weighing her options:
Throw it in the skip
- Sell it as a collector's item (a "gold mine")
- Embark on a UK tour with the bar
- Keep it as a curiosity
Discovery Workflow
Related News & Regional Updates
The discovery of the oversized chocolate bar fits into a broader trend of economic shifts and local events:
🍫 Chocolate & Food Trends
- Agricultural Warnings: Farmers suggest vegetables may become smaller and cost more due to extreme heat.
- Industry Trends: Both Mars and Snickers bars have been identified as victims of
shrinkflation. - Auction News: A rare 1902 silver Rowntree's chocolate box, originally reserved for the royal family, is heading to auction.
- Climate Impact: Chocolatier Isabelle Chappelle has paused production due to excessive humidity.
📈 Economics & Finance
- US Beef Market: Prices have spiked due to shortages, yet farmers are seeing squeezed profits.
- UK Mortgages: Ongoing discussions regarding the Bank of England's interest rates and their effect on loans.
📍 Local Scunthorpe & General News
- Industry: New graduates and apprentices are joining British Steel.
- Tragedy: A fire at a horse riding school has been described as "soul destroying."
- Legal: A civil case involving an "attempted murder" claim by Jody Bunting against a former boss was withdrawn.
